Bob Mackin
A cruise ship’s first voyage of the season from Vancouver to Alaska was cancelled due to an apparent propeller malfunction.
Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas at Lynnterm in North Vancouver on April 27, 2024 (Mackin)
The Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas was originally scheduled to depart Vancouver’s Canada Place cruise ship terminal on April 26, but that was delayed until April 28.
On April 27, however, the cruise line cancelled the trip as the vessel was docked at Lynnterm in North Vancouver.
“Due to a technical issue, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the April 26 sailing. Guests will receive a full refund and 100% future cruise credit, and have been notified directly,” said a statement from Royal Caribbean.
The Royal Caribbean Blog reported that the propulsion system was failing during the four-night cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver. U.S. Customs and Border Protection restrictions meant passengers were forced to remain onboard.
Last September, the same ship was temporarily taken out of service in Alaska due to problems with an azipod, or azimuth thruster pod propulsion system.
Between April 8 and 22, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a norovirus outbreak aboard the Radiance of the Seas. Sixty-seven of the 1,933 passengers and two of the 924 crewmembers were infected.
The vessel was christened in 2001 in Germany and is registered in Bahamas. It holds up to 2,466 guests on its 13 decks. It contains a rock-climbing wall and nine-hole mini golf course, nine restaurants and 10 bars and lounges.
Lynnterm, west of the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Bridge, is not a cruise terminal. Instead, the four-berth, deep-sea facility specializes in handling and storage of forest products, steel and general cargo.
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